Fluid power-transmission apparatus.



P. H. SUMMERIL. FLUID POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1910.

1,064,562. Patented June 10,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

( attozuu F. SUMMERIL. FLUID POWER TRANSMISSION APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1910.

1,064,562, Patented June 10, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

P. H. SUMMERIL.

FLUID POWE'R TRANSMISSION APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 191i).

'1 364,562, Patented June 10,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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P. H. SUMMERIL.

FLUID rowan TRANSMISSION APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAXBI, 1910. 1 U6Q562, Patented June 10,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

40. I 4a a 4 2 I i M 4/5 I I l l l I FBANK sumanmn, 0F DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HORATIO N. NORTON, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

FLUID POWER-TRANSMISSION AIPARATUS. v

rocaaca.

T o (17] 212710211 1'?- mng concern Be it known that I, FRANK H. SUMMERIL, a (illZfin ot the United States, residing 1n Specification of Letters Patent.

the city and county of Denver and State of.

Colorado. have invented certain new and useful improvements in Fluid Powerlrausmission Apparatus; and i do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappe'rtains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, andv to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in fluid opower-transmission apparatus for vehicles, the novel features consisting more especially of the mechanism whereby the wheels of a vehicle are individually operated through the instrumentality of roller pistons which act alternately on the wheel as driving devices and stationary abutments, the fluid, as oil, acting upon the driving members which are caused to travel in a channel formed in a stationary casing around which the wheel travels, the rim of the wheel having a central member protruding into this casing, and constructed to be acted upon by the driving piston members. The inner wall of the channel is stationary while the outer wall is formed by theinwardly protruding member of the wheel. In the stationary member of the wheel are formed inlet and exhaust passages which communicate with ducts formed in a centrally located hollow .valve piece which is formed relatively thick and cored out to form the inletand exhaust ducts which are in communication with a pipe or i the "cooperating active piston member.

The inner and outer walls of the channel- 'members are reversed, the formerly active member becoming inactlve, and the member which was previously stationary proceeds to travel under the influence of the propelling oil or other fluid pumped into the channel,

as hereinafter explained more in detail.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe'the same in detail, reference-being made to the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof. I

In.this drawing: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the running gear of an automobile equipped with my improved liquid powertransmission apparatus. I of one of the Wheels of the vehicle partly in central section and partly in felevation, the sectionized portion being taken 011 the line 22, Fig. 3, the parts being shown on a larger scale. 'tion taken' on the line 3-3 Fig. 2, looking toward the right. Fig. 3 is a vertical section or a section at right angles to the section of Fig. 3. Fig. 4.; is a section taken through the T-shaped portion of the conduit through which the oil passes to the driving wheels of the machine.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designatethe framework of an automobile or horseless vehicle, equipped with an explosive engine 6, forward wheels-,7 and rear or driving wheels 8. The engine is connected in operative relation with a rotary pump 9 whose construction need not be described in detail as nothing is claimed thereon in this application. This pump, however, being actuatedfrom the engine, drives the oil or otherliquid through an eduction pipe 10 which leads to a cent-rally'located T-shaped member 12, forminga coupling oruuion Whereby the conduit 10 is connected with the transverse pipe sections 13, which lead to or communicate with the central passages 14 passages 18, 19. 20 and 21, and. induction passages 22 and 23. Two of the exhaust passages only are simultaneously in use and these used passages are in communication with ports 24 and 25 which are in communication with ducts 26 and 27 formed in Patent-ed J une 10, 1913.

Application filed May 21,1910. Serial No. 562,790.

Fig. 2 is a View 70 Fig. 3 is a horizontal sec- 7 the outer portions of the cylinders these ducts 26 and 27 being in communication with hollow branch pipes or conduits 28 and' 29 which'communicate with a flexible return conduit 30. These brancli conduit members 28 and 29 are rigidly connected with a transverse pipe member 31 to which is clamped aring 32 connected by means of a rod 33 with a cranli 34 of a rock shaft 35 to which is secured a hand lever 36.

By the use of the lever 36, the; transverse. conduit or pipe section 3l is given a partial rocking movement, whereby the branch conduit'members 28 and:29 are moved in one direction or the other sufliciently to impart a partial rotary movement to the cylinders 15, this movcmentibeing sufiicient to cut ofl one pair of exhaust passages from the'liquid and to bring another pairof passages into communication with the exhaust ducts of the cylinders for the purpose of reversing the travel of the vehicle. The cylinder 15 is also provided with induction passages 37,

'38, 39 and 40, and when the cylinder is turned for the purpose of reversing the travel ofthe vehicle, one pair ofinduction passages 37 and 38 is cut offfrom communication with the passages 22 and 23, while the other pair of induction passages 39 and 40 of the cylinder are brought into communication with the passages 22 and 23, whereby the-propelling liquid, as it is driven from the pump, is always caused to pass into a channel 41 formed in the stationary wheel-hub or casing 42 in whose centralv portion 17 theexhaust passages 18, 19, 20 and 21 and the induction passages 29 ;and 23 are formed. This casing 42 extends outwardly beyond the channel 41 on both sides, as shown at 43, and is grooved as shown at 44 to receive packing rings45 which are also I partially seated in circumferential grooves 46 formed in the-inwardly projecting part 47 of the wheel rim 48. This rim is sup ported by exteriorly located plates '49 which are bolted to the rim as shown at 50, the

inner edges of the plates 49 being expanded as shown at 51 and hollowed out to form raceways 52 forbearingballs 53, the said raceways coiiperating with cones 54 screwed upon stationaryportions 55 and 56 of the casing 42. Between the portion 56 of the casing which forms. a lateral extension beyond the body of the casing 42, and each cylinder 15, a stufiing box 57 is located. *In this stufling box is inserted. a packing 59' and a gland 58 engaging the said packing, whereby a liquid tight joint is formed between the cutofi" cylinder and'thestationary portion 42 of,each Wheel. A collar C is threaded on the lateral extension 56, and .a lock ng key D inserted between the collar and the extension 56 for locking the collar -,'ragainst turning, ,bolts E are passed through the collar" and the frame of the vehicle, thus securing the member 43securely'to the vehicle, and preventing the same from turning.

' Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the wheel. In this view the wheel and axle are shown separated, the axle being equipped with a hub adapted to receive the frame member 5 which'enters the relatively deep groove o-r recess of the hub part in which it is secured by bolts, one of WlllCll shown in dotted lines.

The outer wall or the periphery of the stationary member 17, is provided with shallow recesses 60-, as shown iifthe drawing, two of these recesses. located diametrically opposite each other being employed. It will be understood that these shallow recesses 60 are formed in the inner wall of the "channel 41; whereas, the outer wall of this channel or the interiorly projecting reduced circumferential rim member 47 1s pro-vlded With three similar shallow recesses 61, 62

and 63. WVithin this-circular channel 41 a number of cylindrical pistons 6-4, 65, 66, 67 and'68 are located. The diameter of the cylindrical pistons is such. with reference to the width of the channel 41, that the channel is just wide enough to receive these pistons, where the recesses of either wall are located. l/Vhen, however, an inner and an outer recess are brought into register, one of the cylindrical pistons, namely, an inactive one, is driven out of a recess in-the wall of the central member 17 of the casing, while another cylindrical piston enters said recess, the iston driven out then acting under the in uence of the liquid as a driving piston while the piston in the rear constitutes an abutment which resists the rear-' ward flow of the liquid which is thus caused to act upon the 'dr-iving'piston, the latter directly engaging a shoulder 69 at one extremity of a recess in the part 47 of the wheel rim which is thus caused to rotate aroundand within the stationary structure 43. From the foregoing description the use and operation of my improved liquid powertransmission apparatus will be readily understood. Assuming that the engine 6 is in operation, its shaft 4 upon which a fly-wheel 3 is 'mounted serves to operate the rotary pu'mp 9, whereby the propelling liquid, as oil, is driventhrough the pipe 10 into the branch horizontally disposed pipe members "13- of the rear axle, whence the oil passes through the central'hollow portions 16 of the cylinders 15, and thence through the induction passages 31 and 3S, into and through the registering passages 22 and 23, into the channel 41 at diametrically opposite points. In this event the liquid acts upon-the cylindrical pistons 66 and 64, while the two pistons 65 and 68 serve as abutments to pre- 3 -vent the rearward flow of the oil in the channel. The portions of the channel between the pistons 66 and 67; 67 and 68; and 64 and 65, are filled with oil or any other propelling liquid that may be employed. However, 68; and between the pistons 64 and 65, is in co'nnnunication with exhaust ducts 20 and 18, respectively, tion of the channel between the pistons 66 and 67 is merely idle, until after the piston 67 passes the duct 20, when the liquid will begin to exhaust in front of the piston 66,

I while the piston 67 willv enter the recess 60 of the stationary hub m ember 17 and con stitute an abutment for the, driving liquid which will then enter the channel through the duct 23 and will act on the piston 68 which then becomes a driving piston engaging a shoulder 70 formed at'the forward extremity of the 'recess62. Now if it is desired to reverse the travel of the vehicle, the lever 36 will be actuated sufficiently to move the rod 33 the necessary distance to impart a partial rotary movement to the transverse conduit member 31, whereby the pipe members 28 and 29 acting as rock-arms impart sufiicient rotary movement to the cylinders 15, to cut off the exliaust .through passages 18 and 20, and open the passages 19 and 21 for exhaustpurposes. .In this event the passages 39 and 40 of each cylinder 15, will register respectively withthe passages 22 and 23 of the stationary member 17 for induction purposes. The arrangement oi the ports 24 and 25 is such that during the rotary movement of either cylinder 15' forYreversi'ng purposes, the propelling liquid will enter the passages 18 and 20 through. the passages 37 and 38 respectively, of the cylinder before theports 24 and25 register with the passages 21 and 19 respectively and the actionof this liquid flowing through the passage 18 from the induction port 37 will throw the piston 65 toward the left againstthe shoulder 71 of the recess 60, and the piston 64 against the shoulder 72 of the recess 63; while'the passage of the liquid from, the induction opening 38 through. the passage 20, will throw the piston 68 toward'the right causing it to engage the shoulder 73 of the recess 60, thus placing the pistons and 68 on opposite sides of the exit extremities of the passages 22 and 23 from that which'they previously occupied at thebeginning of the movement of the cylinders 15 vfor reversing purposes.

Now, as soon as-the cylinders have reached their limit of travel for this purpose, whereby each is givena movement of ninety degrees, whereby the induction passages IO-and 39 are made to register -with the induction passages 22 and 23 respectively, the driving liquid will enter the channel 41 at the right of the piston 65 and at the left of the piston 68, the exhaust taking place through the the oil between the pistons 67 and 'ing on the piston while the liquid in the porthe channel 41 passages lt) and 21. It will now be evident that the liquid acting upon the'piston 65 which is in engagement with the shoulder 71, cannot drive the wheeh-siixce the shoulden 71 is on the stationary member 17 and for the same reason the driving liquid act- 63 can have no tendency to drive the wheel. Hence these two pistons 65 and (Bean only act as abutments to prevent the flow of the propelling liquid beyond them in thechannel 41. Under these-circumstances the liquid flowing through the passage 22 will actupon the piston 64 to drive the wheel in a direction the reverse of the 'arrowa, in Fig.2, since it enters the channel between the pistons 65 and 64, while the liquid entering the channel 41 through thepassagewill act upon the piston 67 to drive the wheel in the same direction.

It will be observed that when the ports 21 and 19 have been uncovered by the ports 27 and 26 there is practically no resistance to the travel of the piston 64 in the direction of the reverse of the arrow a since the liquid in frontof the piston is in communication with the exhaust passages 21, and for this same reason, the liquid in front ofthe piston 67 its travel in the same direction, since the piston 66, together with the liquid in front of the piston 67 is moving toward theiex haust passage 19 through, which the liquid flows freely. the induction assages 37 and 38 have moved across the ex austpassages 18 and 20 respectively, whereby the induction is tempo rarily through for the purpose of shifting the pistons 65 and 68 toward the left and rightrespectively, the parts-24 and 25 have with the passages come partly into register 21 -and-19'respect1vely', thus placing the exhaust ducts'26 and. 27 in communication with the channel 41, at the left of the piston 65 and at the rightof the piston '68, thus allowing the liquid to exhaust and relieving the resistance to the movement of the pistons 65 and '68 toward the left andright respectively for reverse purposes, as heretofore explained.

In order to make itpracticable to employ w the conduit members 28 and 29 as rock- It must be noted that before offers practically no resistance to these exhaust passages into arms for imparting the partial rotary mov- 'ment to the cylinders 15 for'reversing purposes, the exhaust conduit 30 is made flexible and isalso made sufiiciently loose or of the proper length to permitthe necessary travel of the pipe member 31. r V

lVhen it is dcsired to relieve the propelling wheels from the 'full force of the drivg liquid, a valve 74, located: in a pipe-75 connecting the conduits 10 'and=30, maybe opened to allow a portion or even allvof the liquid to pass through the pipe 75 from the pipe L0, thus making av short circuit through the pump and cutting off, either partially or wholly, the driving liquid, from the rear or propelling wheelsJBefore the operator shifts thereyersing lev'er36, the? Valve 74 should be partly opened. Then during the very short space of time When-the inductionv Y passages in the valve 16' are closed, that. is,

while the valve is being rotated to reverse the direction of travel of the machine, the only eflect will be to retard the engine temporarily. t r 7 \Vhile in the drawing I have illustrated my improvement as applied to two; wheels of the vehicle, it must be understood'that it may be arsed in connection with all of the 7 wheels, if desired, or a single wheel only, if

' vehicle or not.

preferred. It must also be understood that the mechanism comprising'the movable pietons arranged to displace each other whereby they alternately become driving and abutment members, traveling in the cha nel through which the propelling liquid fi ws, may be employed for rotating a driving wheel, pulley or other rotatable part of any character, whether used in connection with athat any desired number of recesses, or pockets formed in the adjacent walls of the piston chamber or channel may be employed, together a corresponding number of pistons. It must also be understood that the invention is not limited to cylindrical pistonsas these elements may be made of any shape which convenience-or the necessities of any particular case may dictate or require.

While in the foregoing specification the motive fluid referred to has generally been designated as liquid,'it must be understood that any motive fluid other than liquid, as

steam or air, may be employed in the operatlon of my improved construct-ion.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In fluid power-transmission apparatus for vehicles, the combination .with a wheel of the vehicle, and a pump for circulating the fluid, of a motor, comprisin a stationary member in which is'formed a channel for the driving liquid, independent pistons located in said channel, the latter being ex- I terior ly closedby the rim of the vehicle, the

adjacent surfaces of the stationary member and the wheel rim being provided with recesses to accommodate the pistons, nereby the depth of the channel increased by that of a recess is just equal to the diameter of a piston, the stationary member being provided with an induction and exhaust pas- .sage in communication with the said channel and the pump for circulating purposes.

2. The combination with a vehicle, a. wheel thereof and aliquid pump, of a stationary member having induction and cxhaustp'assages in communication with thepump, a circular chamber between the stationary It must also be understood pump, a circular chamber between the stationary member and the rim of each wheel,

recesses formedin the adjacent surfaces of the wheel rims and the stationary members, pistons located inthe said chambers and ot a diameter equal to the depth of the chamber plus that of the recesses, there being a' piston for each "recess in both members, I 4Q The combination with a vehicle, a pair of wheels thereofand a pump, of a stat1onary member having induction and exhaust passages for each wheel, a circular chamber between the stationary member and the rim of eachwheel,1recesses formed in the adjacent surfaces of the wheel rims and the corresponding stationary members, pistons located in said chambers and of a diameter equal to the depth of the chamber plus that of'one of the recesses of either the stationaryniember or the wheel rim, there being a piston for each recess in both members, and means for introducing liquid from the pump to the piston chambers of each wheel, whereby certain of the pistons act as driving members for the wheel rims, while other cooprating pistons serve as abutments, the cooperating pistons exchangingplaoes at predetermined intervals and acting alternately as driving and abutment members, substantially as described.

The combination with a wheel to be rotated, of a liquid, motor, comprising a circular chamber closed on one side bya 'portionof the wheel to be rotated. the opposite side. of the chamber being closed by a stationary member, the adjacent surfaces of the wheel port-ion and statlonary member having hollow recesses, pistons located in said chamber and of a diameter equal to the depth of the chamber plus that of one of v the recesses, there being a piston foreachrecess in both the. stationary member. and the wheel portion and means forintroducing liquid to the said chamber and exhausting it, therefrom, the: liquid entering the chamber between pairs of cooperating pistons,

one-of which serves as a driving member, whllethe other serves as an abutment memher, the PEIIIS of cooperatmg pistons changing functions as the recesses in the two memvbers register, whereby the drivingpiston'becomes t e abutment member and the abutmentmember the driving piston, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a wheel-rim to be rotated and a stationary member around which said rim is adapted to rotate, a. i!'-' cula-r chamber being formed between the stationary member, and the wheel rim, re-

- said pistons each cesses being formed in the adjacent surfaces of the wheel rim and the stationary member, cylindrical pistons located in the said chamber, equal in number to therecesses in both the wheel rim and stationary member, the being of a diameter equal to that of the depth of the chamber plus that of a recess in either member, means for introducing driving liquid between certain of the pistons and exhausting the liquid from between certain other pistons, the pistons acting together in pairs whereby they become alternately driving and abutment members,'the individual pistons of each pair exchanging functions as the recesses of the wheel rim and the stationary member h'aving shallow recesses, cylindrical pistons located in the said chamber, one for each recess in both members, the pistons being of a diameter equal to that of the depth of the channel plus that of one ofthe recesses in either member, the stationary member having inlet and exhaust passages, and means for introducing driving liquid through the inlet passages and causing it to exhaust through the exhaust passages, that which enters of the stationary member, the pistons of provided with induction and exhaust'pas.

determined intervals,

through the inletpassages entering the chamber between spectively as driving and abutment members, one piston of each air enga ing a recess of the wheel-rim' an the other a receiss t 1e exchanging functions at prewhereby the driving piston of one pair displaces the abutment piston, of'another pair, the displaced piston then becoming a drivmg member, and the displacing piston an abutment member, substantially as described. 5

- 8. The combination of a wheel rim mounted to rotate, of a stationary member around which the wheel-rimtravels, a cireular chamber. being formed between the two members, the stationary member being several pairs sages, a pump for circulating liquid thiough the said chamber and back to the pump, the

adjacent surfaces of thcwheel-rim and staand abutment pistons alternately become .ing the said pistons two pistons acting re tionary member having shallow recesses, the stationary member having a recess at the exit extremity of each inlet passage, and the wheel-rim member having a number of recesses greater by one than the recesses formed in the stationary member, pistons located in the said chamber and engaging the respective recesses of both members, the pistons acting in pairs, one piston of each pair serving as an abutment member, and the other has a driving member, the individual pistons of 1118 several pairs exchanging functions at predetermined intervals, substantially as described. A

9. The combination with a wheel to be rotated, of a stationary member having inletand exhaust passages, a circular chamber formed between the wheel-rim and the stationary member, independent pistons located in said chamber, means for maintaining the pistons in coiiperative relation whereby one engages the stationary member and acts as an abutment while the other engages the wheel-rim in the capacity of a driving member, means for introducing and exhausting propelling liquid to and from the said chamber, the individual pistons of adjacent pairs exchanging functions at predetermined intervals, whereby the driving abutment and driving members.

10. The combination with a fluid pump, of a motor, comprising a wheel, a stationary member around which the wheel is mounted to rotate, a circular chamber interposed between the wheel member and the stationary member, independent pistons located in said chamber, means for maintainin the relation of pairs, the individual-pistons of each pair serving as driving and abutment members, means for introducing motive fluid into the said chamber between the pistons constituting each pair and exhaust-ingthe fluid. between adj acentpairs of pistons, the individual pistons ofad acent pairs exchanging functions at predetermined regular intervals, whereby the driving and abutment pistons become the ,butment and driving pistons,substantially as described.

11. The combination with a vehicle having one or more driving wheels, each con- 7 sisting of a stationary member and a surrounding rotary rim, a circular chamber being interposed between the wheel-rim and the stationary member, means for introducing motive fluid to and exhausting it from the'saidchamber, pistons located in the said chamber and movable therein independently of eaEh other, means for maintaining the pistons in the relation-of pairs, the individual pistons of one or more pairs being arranged on opposite sides of an inlet passage for motive fluid, one of these pistons serving as an abutment member and the other scribed.

12. A motor, comprising a stationary member, a wheel-rmrsurrounding the same and rotatably mounted, a circular chamber interposed between the stationary member :and the wheel-rim. the stationary member having inlet and exhaust passages communieating at one extremity with the circular chamber, a fluid pump for circulating liquid through the said passages and said chamber,

' between the wheel-rim and the member, lIldllQtlOll and exhaust pistons located in said chamber and adapted to travel therein. independently of each other, these pistons being arranged in pairs, the individual members of each pair being arranged on opposite sides of each inlet fluid passage, the individual pistons of ad- ]acent pairs exchanging functions with each other at predetermined intervals, substantially as described.

133A motor, comprising a wheel-rim, a stationary member around which the wheelrim rotates, a circular chamber being formed stationary passages formed in the stationary member, a reversmg valve located in the stationary member and having induction and exhaust ports and I passages cooperating with the correspondmg passages of the stationary member, and pistons located in the said chamber and traveling therein independently of each Other, means for mainta-ining said pistons v in the relation of pairs, the individual pis- ,cated in said chamber '..tons of each pair being arranged on opposite sides of the induction passages, the indiv dual pistons of adjacent pairs exchangmg functions with each other at predetermlned lntervals, whereby the abutment pistons become driving members and the drivmg member. abutment pistons, substantially as described. 1;

14. The combination with a Wheel to be rotated, of a stationary member having inlet and exhaust passages, a' circular chamber formed between a part? of the wheel and the stationary member, independent pistons 10- and arranged in pairs, means for maintaining the pistons in cooperatlve relation, .whereby one piston of each pair engages the stationary -member and acts as an abutment while the other engages the part of the wheel to be driven,- in the capacity of a; driving member, and means liquid to and for introducing and exhausting propelling from the said chamber, the indiv dual pistons of adjacent pairs ex-,

changing functions at predetermined intervals, substantially as describd.

15. The combination with a wheel to be rotated, of a motor comprising a stationary member, the structure having a circular,

chamber formed between the stationary member'fiand a part of the Wheel,- the adjaoent surfaces of the wheel portion and the pockets, pistons one for each of passages and causing it to exhaust through. I

the exhaust passages,the exhaust passages being arranged in pairs, and a reversing valve having inlet and exhaust passages thls valve normally closing one exhaust passage of each pair,'an-d being movable ,to alternately utilize the exhaust passages for reversing the travel of the Wheel, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a member to be rotated, of a motor comprising a stationary circular element, the structure having chamber formed between the stationary element and apart of the member to be rotated, the adjacent; surfaces of the rotatable member and the stationary element having pockets, pistons located in the said chamber,

the pistons being of a size equal to the depth of 'the chamber plus that of one of the pocketsin either the stationary element or the rotatable member, the stationary element having inlet and exhaust passages, means for introducing driving liquid through the inlet passages and causing it to exhaustthrough the exhaust passagesthe exhaust passages being arranged in pairs, and a reversing valve having inlet and exhaust passages, this valve normally closing one exhaust passage of. eachlpair and being mov-v able to alternately utilize theexhaust passages for reversing the travel of therotata'ble member, the induction and exhaust passages of the valve and stationary element being so arranged that some driving fluid is admitted to the circular chamber through an exhaust passage. of the stationary element, and exhausted from the chamber through an inlet passage of the stationary element-,the said inlet and exhaust fluid en-. t ering the circular chamber on oppositesides of an abutment piston for the purpose ofshifting the same in its pocket from one side of an induction passage to the other for reversing purposesn Y i 17. The combination with a part to be rotated, ofa stationary member, a, circular chamber formed between the part to be rotated and the stationary member, independent pistons located in said chamber and arranged m pairs, and means for malntainlng the pistons in cooperative relation whereby.

one piston of each pair engages the stationary member and acts as an abutment, while the other engages the part to be rotated in the capacity of a driving member.

18. The combination with a part to be rotated, of a stationary member having inlet and exhaust passages, a. circular chamber 'formed between the part to be rotated and the stationary member, independent pistons locatedin said chamber and arranged in pairs, means for maintaining the pistons in cooperative relation, whereby one piston of each pair engagesthe stationary member and acts as anabutment, while the other engages the part to be rotated in the capacity of a driving member, and means for introducing and exhausting propelling fluid to and from thesaid chamber, the individual pistons of adjacent pairs exchanging functions at predetermined intervals, substantially as described.

19. The combination with a part to be rotated, of a, stationary member,. a circular chamber formed between the part to be rotated and the stationary member, a pair of independent pistons located in said chamber, and means for maintaining the pistons in cooperative relation, wherebyone piston engages the stationary member and acts as an abutment, while the other engages the part to be rotated in the capacity of a driving member.

, .20. The combination with a part to be rotated, of a stationary member having inlet and exhaust passages, a circular chamber formed between the part to be rotated and the stationary member, a pair of independ ent pistons located in said chamber, means for maintaining the pistons in cooperative relation, whereby one piston engages the sta tionary member and acts as an abutment, while the other piston engages the part to be rotated in the capacity of a driving member, and means for introducing and exhausting propelling fluid to and from the said chamber, the individual pistons exchanging functions at predetermined intervals, sub stantially as described.

21. The. combination with a part to be rotated. of a stationary member, acircular chamber formed between the part to be ro-,

tated and the stationary member, independ ent pistons located in said chamber and arranged in pairs, means for maintaining the pistons in cooperative relation, whereby one piston of each pair engages the stationary member and acts as an abutment, while the other engages the part to be rotated in the capacity of a driving member, and means for introducing and exhausting propelling fluid to and from the said chamber, the-individual pistons of adjacent pairs exchanging functions at predetermined intervals, substantially as described.

22. The combination with a part to be rotated, of a stationary member, a circular chamber formed between the part to be rotated and the stationary 1nember,'two independent pistons located in said chamber, means formaintaining the pistons in cooperative relation, whereby one piston engages the stationary member and acts as an abutment, while the other engages the part to be, rotated in the capacity of a driving member, and means for introducing and exhausting motive fluid, to and from the said ehamla-r,the individual pistons exchanging functions at predetermined intervals.

23. The combination with apart to be rotated. ot' a stationary member, an annular chamber formed between the part to be rotated and the stationary member, independ-- entpistons located in the annular chamber, and means for maintaining the pistons in operativerelation, whereby'one piston acts as an abutment, while the other acts in the capacity of adriving member, siilbstantially as described.

24. A machine of the class described, comprising a stationary member and a rotary member, a chamber formed between the ro- I tax-y member and the stationary member, independent. members located In said chamber,

and means for maintaining the members in cooperative relation, whereby one member acts in the capacity of a drlver, while the other acts in the capacity of an'abutment, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK H. SUMMERIL.

,Vitnesses:

A. J. OBRIEN,

VIRGINIA I. Dans. 

